A/N: Ok. I quit promising longer chapters as this only seems to come out in bits, and I do get to update more frequently this way.

Kaime: You are indeed loved and appreciated. I even look forward to your craziness.

TinTin: Thanks for the steady encouragement. I always look forward to hearing what you think.

Jedi Keliam Kenobi: Thanks for letting me know you're reading. It's always a thrill to hear from someone new.

Vaderbabe: I love that screen name. Thanks.

Lady McClellan: Thanks so much for taking the time to reply...as for that fight you forsee...how about a bit of a spar in the next chapter?

Chapter 7

Obi-Wan Kenobi eyed the soft cot in the corner of his cabin longingly. It had already been a long day and weariness was catching up with him. He let out a tired sigh and walked over to his travel pack to fish out the med kit- sleep would have to wait for just a little while longer.

Med kit found, the knight went to his knees and laid out the bacta and a small length of bandage on the floor before him then attempted to slowly peel his tunic away from his scorched and raw shoulder. The threads of the burnt fabric stuck to the burn as he tried to remove the garment and Obi-Wan stopped for a moment and braced himself for the pain.

"It looks like you're in need of some assistance," a voice bellowed from the doorway.

Obi-Wan turned at the sound of Qui-Gon's voice, and suddenly reminded of their vast height difference, tilted his head up. His jaw was set in a look of defiance, but he kept his voice flat and even, "Thank you, but I don't believe I'm in need of your help at the present. I'm quite capable of functioning without it. Besides, don't you have a padawan to chase after?"

Qui-Gon crossed his arms over his chest and nodded while casually strolling towards his former apprentice. "Indeed, but he's somewhat more capable of looking after himself than you are," he said.

Obi-Wan gave a sarcastic laugh. "Except for when he blindly walks into danger."

"In stark contrast to last apprentice who likes to waltz into it with his eyes wide open. You are a reckless and arrogant. Very un-Jedi like."

"You'll have to take it up with my former master," the knight answered while still trying to gingerly pull the tunic from the blaster burn. "I learned a great deal of my un-Jedi like behavior at his knee."

Qui-Gon leaned over the young man as if to whisper a secret. " Stubborn fool!"he growled then quickly ripped the fabric from the wounded shoulder.

Eyes gone wide with pain, Obi-Wan doubled over and cursed in a ragged breath, "Son of a Sith! What did you do that for?"

"You're too proud for your own good- a quality that apparently gets you into a great deal of trouble by the looks of things," Qui-Gon lectured as he took brief note of the various scars that marred the knight's back. He then grabbed the bacta and began to smear a generous amount over the burn. "There's no shame in asking for help when you need it, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan's body instinctively jerked away from the sting of the ointment, but Qui-Gon grabbed his arm and held him steady. "I don't need help," Obi-Wan insisted.

"Obviously the Council believes otherwise you would be out saving a planet all by yourself instead of assisting a master/padawan team on a fairly uncomplicated mission," Qui-Gon stated matter-of -factly as he fixed the length of bandage over the shoulder. "My guess is that they gave you no choice."

"The Council sent me to make nice with your padawan. It appears that he doesn't play well with others. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Xanatos fail recess as well?" Obi-Wan snapped.

He regretted the outburst the moment it came out. He knew how miserable it was living under the shadow of Xanatos' fall. It was childish and petulant to insist that Anakin suffer in the same manner simply because he wanted to lash out at Qui-Gon.

The evident hurt on the older man's face condemned him still further. It appeared that even after all these years Qui-Gon was still haunted by the old ghosts of his perceived failure, and maybe a few new ones as well.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "What happened with Xanatos should have no bearing on you and Anakin.. I was out of line to draw any comparisons between the two."

Qui-Gon simply nodded his acceptance as he stood to exit the room. "You're right," he said softly. "My history shouldn't influence my perception of Anakin at all, and yet I don't know what I fear more- him turning out like Xanatos -or you."

"And you call me a fool," Obi-Wan said with a slight shake of his head, but there was no disrespect in his tone, only remorse.

"Meaning?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Meaning he'll turn out to be Anakin Skywalker- no matter what you fear."

Padme Amidala let out a sigh of relief as she changed into one of the flight suits left on deck. The sheer nightclothes she had been forced to flee in had left her feeling somewhat exposed- especially to Anakin.

The seventeen year old padawan was a far cry from the little slave boy she remembered from Tatooine. She reasoned to herself that Anakin seemed so different because he was, in fact, no longer a little boy at all. Then he had seemed so wide eyed and innocent, while now he struck as...dangerous in a very thrilling way.

She unconsciously threw the Jedi cloak around her shoulders as a cold tingle went up her spine at the thought. She blinked at the realization that the seemingly rough cloak actually held a peculiar warmth and comfort to it and pulled the robe even tighter around herself.

"Are you cold?"

"I'm sorry?" she said, startled.

Anakin Skywalker indicated the cloak she had wrapped herself in. "You look as though you are freezing. Can I get you a blanket or something warm to drink?"

"Oh, no. Thank you," she said and abruptly pulled the cloak from herself. "I'm really not cold at all. Just a bit nervous, I guess."

"Well, most people would be if they had some crazed assassin after them," Anakin said softly as he sat down next to her. "But you needn't worry. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine requested the best master/padawan team in the Temple for your protection," he added with an impish grin.

Padme smiled back. "I'll have to remember to thank him the next time I see him."

"You'll get your chance sooner than you think. We just got word that the Supreme Chancellor will be arriving shortly after us. He's very concerned for you and wishes to personally oversee your security."

"Oh?" she said, a bit puzzled then asked, "And just where is it that we're going?"

"Alderaan."